Statom’s specialist turnkey delivery business, Fancourt Property Group, has secured a prestigious super prime residential construction contract in Bayswater, Westminster, involving the redevelopment of Esca House into 17 luxury residences. Appointed by Sunley Project Solutions, Fancourt Property Group will oversee a technically demanding redevelopment that combines demolition, façade retention and new construction within one of central London’s most desirable residential locations. The project will involve the demolition of existing elements of Esca House, while retaining the façade across the first two floors, followed by the construction of a new four-storey residential building. A significant engineering challenge will be the development’s location directly above the London Underground’s Circle and District lines, which run beneath the site. This sensitive setting will require careful coordination of demolition, piling, structural engineering and foundation works to ensure the successful delivery of the new building while addressing the constraints associated with constructing above operational railway infrastructure. The scheme represents a substantial undertaking within London’s specialist luxury residential construction market, where complex urban sites, retained architectural features and demanding structural requirements frequently influence the design and delivery process. Integrated Construction Expertise A key feature of the Esca House project will be the involvement of Statom’s vertically integrated construction businesses, enabling multiple specialist disciplines to contribute to the redevelopment under a coordinated delivery structure. Statom Demolition will undertake the demolition works, while Franki Foundations will provide specialist piling expertise. Apex Engineering will be responsible for design services, with Statom Group delivering the foundations and structural frame. Trident Lifting Solutions will provide tower crane services, while Harvill Brickwork will undertake the brickwork package. Mechanical and electrical installations will be delivered by Spark Tech MEP, completing the integrated team responsible for the principal construction disciplines. The involvement of these specialist businesses will enable Fancourt Property Group to coordinate key stages of the programme, from initial demolition and groundworks through to structural construction and building services installation. This approach is particularly relevant to projects involving complex site constraints, where close collaboration between engineering, structural and construction teams is essential. Building Above London’s Underground Network The location of Esca House above the Circle and District lines introduces an additional layer of technical complexity to the redevelopment. Construction projects situated above or close to operational underground railway infrastructure require detailed consideration of structural loading, ground conditions, vibration and the potential impact of construction activities on surrounding assets. For the Esca House development, the combination of demolition, retained façade elements and new structural works will make the coordination of the building’s foundations and frame a particularly important aspect of the delivery strategy. The involvement of Franki Foundations and Apex Engineering will bring specialist expertise to the ground engineering and structural design elements of the project. Meanwhile, the use of Statom’s wider construction capabilities will support the coordination of works across the constrained central London site. Delivering Super Prime Residential Accommodation Bayswater has become an increasingly prominent location within London’s luxury residential market, benefiting from its central position, established architectural character and proximity to Hyde Park and the wider West End. The redevelopment of Esca House will contribute 17 new super prime residences to the area, transforming the existing property into a modern residential building. Projects within this sector frequently require a combination of architectural sensitivity, specialist construction expertise and high standards of building services integration. The retention of existing façade elements at Esca House will also require careful consideration of how the historic or established external building fabric is incorporated into the new structure. For Fancourt Property Group, the appointment demonstrates the capabilities of Statom’s integrated construction model in delivering complex residential developments involving multiple specialist trades and challenging engineering conditions. The scheme also highlights the continuing opportunities for specialist contractors within London’s super prime residential market, particularly where redevelopment involves constrained sites, retained structures and significant below-ground infrastructure. With seven specialist construction businesses contributing to the project, the Esca House redevelopment will bring together expertise spanning demolition, piling, structural engineering, lifting operations, brickwork and mechanical and electrical services. The completed four-storey development will deliver 17 luxury residences in Bayswater, representing another example of the technically demanding construction and redevelopment projects shaping London’s high-end residential property sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HG Construction has secured £225 million of construction contracts from developer FEC to deliver four new residential buildings in Manchester, marking a major step forward in the transformation of the Red Bank neighbourhood within the ambitious Victoria North regeneration programme. The appointment will see HG Construction deliver a total of 895 new homes across two development plots, NT02 and NT03, supporting the continued expansion of one of Manchester’s most significant residential regeneration areas. The contracts represent a substantial investment in the next phase of Red Bank, where FEC is progressing plans to establish a new residential neighbourhood north of Manchester city centre, supported by improved infrastructure, public spaces and green amenities. At plot NT02, HG Construction will deliver a 34-storey residential tower comprising 316 apartments. The development will represent FEC’s first build-to-rent (BTR) scheme within the neighbourhood, introducing professionally managed rental accommodation to the emerging residential district. Construction at NT02 is scheduled to commence immediately, with completion anticipated by 2029. The second contract covers plot NT03, where three residential buildings named Falcon, Kingfisher and Midrise will provide a further 579 homes. Construction of these buildings is expected to begin in early 2027, subject to securing Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator under the Building Safety Act framework. Together, the four buildings will make a substantial contribution to housing delivery within Victoria North, while adding further density and architectural variety to the evolving Red Bank skyline. The Gateway 2 process remains an important consideration for major residential developments, requiring detailed regulatory approval before construction can commence on higher-risk buildings. For developers and contractors, successfully navigating these requirements is increasingly central to maintaining project programmes and progressing high-rise residential schemes through to delivery. The latest appointments follow significant investment by FEC in the infrastructure and public realm needed to support the wider Red Bank neighbourhood. These improvements are helping establish the foundations for a connected residential community, with new homes being introduced alongside landscaped spaces and infrastructure intended to support long-term growth. Anthony Payne, Operations Director at FEC, welcomed the appointment and highlighted the progress being made across the regeneration programme. “With HG Construction on board we’re ready to deliver the exciting next phase of Red Bank,” he said. “Following significant investment in infrastructure and public realm, the neighbourhood is really taking shape, with new homes, green spaces and the next phases of development now coming forward.” For HG Construction, the £225 million package represents a major addition to its residential construction portfolio, with the contractor drawing on its in-house delivery capabilities to support the programme. The company plans to utilise its self-delivery expertise, including offsite-manufactured bathroom and utility pods, to improve construction efficiency, programme certainty and quality control across the developments. The use of offsite manufacturing techniques is becoming increasingly important in high-density residential construction, where standardised components can help streamline installation, reduce on-site activities and support consistent building quality. Adam Quinn, Chief Executive Officer at HG Construction, said the company’s integrated construction approach would be central to delivering the four buildings. “Our in-house self-delivery capabilities, including offsite bathroom and utility pods, allow us to mobilise efficiently while maintaining greater control over programme execution, quality and safety from the outset,” he said. “We look forward to working with FEC to deliver high-quality homes and help create a thriving new neighbourhood.” The Red Bank developments form part of the wider Victoria North regeneration programme, which is reshaping substantial areas to the north of Manchester city centre through residential development, infrastructure investment and the creation of new neighbourhoods. The introduction of FEC’s first build-to-rent development at NT02 also reflects the continued importance of professionally managed rental housing within Manchester’s expanding residential market. With construction on the first tower due to commence and the remaining three buildings progressing towards regulatory approval, the £225 million programme will establish another major phase of residential delivery at Red Bank. Once completed, the four developments will provide 895 additional homes, reinforcing Victoria North’s role in accommodating Manchester’s growing population and supporting the long-term regeneration of the city’s northern districts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer Glenbrook has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for its landmark 44-storey residential tower in Manchester, clearing a major regulatory hurdle and paving the way for Domis to commence construction in 2027. The 364-home development on Whitworth Street West, close to Deansgate station, has now secured planning permission, funding and the necessary building safety approval, providing a clear route towards delivering one of the latest additions to Manchester’s rapidly evolving skyline. Designed by architectural practice Sheppard Robson, the scheme will become Glenbrook’s tallest development to date and represents a significant addition to the company’s expanding residential portfolio across Greater Manchester. The project has also received an important financial boost, with Glenbrook securing £17 million from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to address a development viability gap and help bring the scheme forward. The funding support highlights the challenges facing major residential developments, particularly high-rise projects where construction costs, regulatory requirements and financial viability continue to influence delivery programmes. With Gateway 2 approval now secured, the project can progress towards its construction phase, with Domis lined up to deliver the development. The 44-storey tower will provide 364 new homes alongside residential amenity facilities and improvements to the surrounding public realm, contributing to the continued regeneration of Manchester’s southern city centre. Its location close to Deansgate railway station and the Metrolink network places the development within one of Manchester’s best-connected residential and commercial districts, providing convenient access to employment, retail, leisure and hospitality destinations. The scheme will also contribute to the ongoing transformation of the area surrounding Whitworth Street West, where residential development continues to reshape former commercial and underutilised urban sites. Securing Gateway 2 approval represents a particularly important milestone under the Building Safety Act framework, which requires higher-risk residential buildings to receive regulatory approval before relevant construction work can begin. The process involves detailed scrutiny of building designs and safety arrangements, placing greater responsibility on developers, contractors and design teams to demonstrate compliance before progressing to the construction stage. Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, welcomed the approval and emphasised the importance of building safety throughout the project. “Health and safety is of paramount importance to Glenbrook and securing Gateway 2 approval represents a crucial milestone for Whitworth Street West, our tallest building to date,” he said. “The approval reflects the significant work undertaken by our team and project partners to progress the scheme through the BSR’s rigorous approvals process.” Roberts added that the milestone provides the confidence needed to advance the development towards construction. “We can now move into the next phase of delivery as we work towards bringing this landmark development forward and making a start on site in 2027.” The Whitworth Street West project will further strengthen Glenbrook’s presence in Greater Manchester, where its residential portfolio already includes Vox, Trilogy, High Definition, Duet and Lumina Village. The developer has established a growing track record of delivering residential schemes across the region, contributing to the expansion of Manchester’s urban housing market and the creation of new city centre neighbourhoods. For Domis, the anticipated construction appointment would represent another substantial high-rise residential project in Manchester, with the 44-storey building adding to the pipeline of major developments planned across the city. The project also reflects the continued importance of public and private sector collaboration in unlocking residential investment, with the £17 million Good Growth Fund contribution helping overcome financial barriers that might otherwise delay delivery. With the key regulatory and financial requirements now in place, attention will turn towards construction mobilisation and the planned 2027 start on site. Once delivered, the development will provide 364 additional homes within central Manchester, reinforcing the city’s ongoing residential growth and adding a prominent new landmark to its skyline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major milestone has been reached at Coventry’s transformational City Centre South regeneration project developed by The Hill Group, with the first tower now rising from the ground following the completion of demolition and extensive groundworks across the site. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry Council and Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, joined Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Chief Executive of The Hill Group, and Regional Director, Stuart Bale, alongside Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, to celebrate the progress being made. The start of construction marks a significant step forward for one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre regeneration projects, paving the way for the transformation of Coventry city centre over the coming years.  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “City Centre South is exactly the sort of ambitious regeneration project that will help drive growth, create jobs and deliver the homes our region needs. Seeing the tower rise is a clear sign that progress is being made and this long-awaited development is becoming a reality. “Importantly, this first building includes 200 affordable homes, making it easier to get good quality housing right in the middle of Coventry. And with the skills hub recently opened on site, we are helping to train and offer job opportunities to local people too.” Under an agreement with Legal & General, Hill is delivering the affordable homes in this first phase of the regeneration, comprising 145 homes for social rent and 55 for Shared Ownership.  These new homes will help to address local housing need while providing high-quality homes for people and families in Coventry. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Seeing the first tower emerge from the ground is an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved in the project at City Centre South. After years of planning, preparation, and with demolition and groundworks now complete, local people can now start to see tangible progress being made on site and the vision for this part of Coventry becoming a reality.” The milestone follows significant demolition works, enabling and infrastructure works across the site, allowing construction of the first residential building to progress at pace. Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, said: “This is an important milestone for us and a visible sign of the progress being made. Through our partnership with Hill, we’re proud to be delivering the first 200 affordable homes here, helping more people access high-quality housing while supporting the wider regeneration of Coventry city centre. Through our role in delivering these affordable homes, we are pleased to support a partnership that is focused on meeting local housing need, contributing to affordable housing targets and bringing forward energy-efficient homes that will benefit Coventry for the long term.” City Centre South is transforming a large section of Coventry city centre, delivering up to 1,575 new homes, alongside vibrant public spaces, shops, restaurants, cafés and commercial opportunities. The first phase of the regeneration will provide 991 new homes, 8,000 square metres of commercial space and 17,000 square metres of public open space. As construction accelerates, the development is also creating employment and training opportunities for local people through a range of initiatives including The Skills Centre, which was recently launched to help local residents gain the qualifications needed to access careers in construction. Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a landmark moment for Coventry. Over the last few months the City Centre South site has been transformed, and people can see it taking shape before their eyes. This development will bring lasting benefits for generations to come. And of course, it will also enable us to make some improvements to the market, which we know is really important to local people and the traders.” Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities, said, “The first tower rising from the ground represents much more than construction progress; it marks the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for local people, demonstrating our commitment to creating a city centre where people from all backgrounds can live, work and thrive.” For further information, visit City Centre South. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction has secured a major building safety milestone for the £229 million second phase of Westminster City Council’s Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration, paving the way for construction to progress on 334 new homes in the heart of London. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has granted Gateway 2 approval across four separate applications covering five residential buildings, providing the regulatory clearance required for the next stage of the ambitious redevelopment. The approval represents a significant breakthrough for one of Westminster’s largest council-led housing regeneration programmes, which will ultimately transform the former 1930s estate into a modern, mixed-tenure residential neighbourhood. Phase two is the largest of three planned development stages and follows the successful completion of the first phase, as Westminster City Council continues its programme to increase housing supply and address the growing demand for affordable homes across the borough. The wider Ebury Bridge Estate masterplan will deliver 781 new homes, supported by a network of interconnected public squares, a new retail parade and community facilities designed to create a more attractive and accessible neighbourhood. The regeneration aims to establish a high-quality residential environment, combining new housing with improved public spaces and amenities while strengthening connections across the surrounding area. Securing Gateway 2 approval has required months of detailed technical coordination between Westminster City Council, McLaren Construction and the wider project consultancy team. Under the Building Safety Act regulatory framework, Gateway 2 approval is a critical requirement before construction work can commence on higher-risk residential buildings. The process requires developers and contractors to demonstrate that proposed designs and construction arrangements meet the necessary building safety requirements. For the Ebury Bridge development, the complexity of the five-building phase meant that four separate applications were required, each involving detailed design information and supporting documentation. Paul Woodhams, Managing Director for Regeneration at McLaren Construction, highlighted the scale of the achievement. “This is a complex project with five buildings which required four separate building safety applications and approvals,” he said. The milestone provides greater certainty for the construction programme and enables the project team to move forward with the next stage of delivery. Councillor David Harvey, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, welcomed the decision and acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the local authority and its construction partner. “Collaboration with our main contractor McLaren has been key to achieving this milestone and it now gives the team the certainty needed to move ahead,” he said. He added: “I’m excited that this has been achieved and we can continue the momentum in delivering the largest council development in this part of Westminster in over 60 years.” The Ebury Bridge programme forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to delivering new housing through the regeneration of existing estates, with an emphasis on creating mixed-tenure communities supported by improved local infrastructure. Alongside the residential accommodation, the planned retail and community facilities will play an important role in establishing a more active neighbourhood, while the interconnected public squares will provide additional outdoor space for residents and visitors. For McLaren Construction, securing the approvals represents an important achievement in navigating the increasingly demanding regulatory environment surrounding higher-risk residential developments. With Gateway 2 clearance now secured, the £229 million second phase can progress towards major construction activity, marking another significant step in the transformation of Ebury Bridge into a new residential neighbourhood for Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially begun construction at its new development in Whitehouse, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The Muse will deliver 191 homes to form part of the wider Milton Keynes Western Expansion Area (WEA). The WEA is a significant development project led by Milton Keynes City Council, designed to sustainably deliver more than 4,300 homes, provide new amenities and increase the city’s population. As part of this, Dandara has started constructing a mix of two-, three-, four- and five- bedroom homes, including 58 properties for open market sale, 58 affordable units and 75 single-family rental homes. The affordable homes will be delivered in partnership with Cross Keys Homes, a not-for-profit charitable Community Benefit Society, providing social housing and shared ownership properties. Alongside the new homes, Dandara will contribute more than £7 million through Section 106 contributions, supporting investment in local healthcare, education and transport infrastructure. Dandara’s expansion at Whitehouse follows the delivery of 218 homes in December 2025, which included 59 properties for open market sale, 67 affordable units and 92 single-family rental homes. The first homes at The Muse are expected to launch from plan in November 2026 with the first residents expected to move in by spring 2027. Simon Pendlebury, Managing Director at Dandara Northern Home Counties, said: “Starting construction works at The Muse reflects our confidence in Milton Keynes as one of the fastest growing and most desirable places to live in the Home Counties. The Muse will provide a mix of private sale, affordable and rental homes, indicating the diverse housing needs of the city and supporting its ongoing growth. Given the prime minister’s recent announcement regarding the introduction of a ‘Your First Home’ scheme, we expect the affordable properties to be in high demand amongst first time buyers.” “With our established presence in the area through our Manor Park, Meadow View and The Acres developments, we play a key role in delivering new homes and creating thriving communities across the region. We look forward to welcoming the first residents next year.” All homes at The Muse will be built in line with Part L Building Regulations, delivering a 31% reduction in carbon emissions compared with previous standards. Homes will include EV charging points as standard, as well as air source heat pumps to help reduce environmental impact and lower energy bills for residents. Whitehouse is one of the most sought-after areas in Milton Keynes, with a distinct character of its own, just 10 minutes by car from the city centre. The Whitehouse regeneration will bring a secondary school, three primary schools, and health, sports and leisure facilities to the area. Dandara continues to expand its presence across the Northern Home Counties, with new homes currently being delivered across Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including The Acres, Meadow View, Anglo Gate and Manor Park developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The latest phase of the Grand Union regeneration in Brent will deliver 505 new homes, establishing an active edge to the masterplan’s new central park Berkeley and architects Sheppard Robson have secured planning for the next phase (4C) of Grand Union, a mixed-use development in Brent, northwest London, with Brent Council approving the plans on 26 September. The latest in a series of phases of a masterplan designed by Sheppard Robson, the scheme will deliver 505 private homes across three buildings, completing the north-south green route linking Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park and bringing a new residential edge to life along this central open space. This application follows planning permission being granted earlier this year for 168 Social Rented Homes in phase 4B. This next phase will continue transforming the former Northfields Industrial Estate into a canalside neighbourhood of around 3,350 homes, with commercial, retail, leisure and community spaces woven throughout. Berkeley has been delivering this major placemaking programme since 2019, working in close partnership with Brent Council. Around 1,000 homes completed to date, including 230 social rent and affordable homes, alongside a mix of on-site amenities, including shops, restaurants, a café, nursery, community centre and a network of popular public squares and landscaped spaces.  This regeneration project also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with Berkeley purchasing the site in 2017, and completing the first homes by December 2021. That four year timeline is half the time it would take today and a reminder to all of what can be achieved by working in partnership with a shared commitment to deliver housing and meaningful community impact.   Rooted in the site’s industrial past and its closeness to the Grand Union Canal and River Brent, the masterplan reconnects the local area with the waterways on its doorstep, threading public spaces and green landscape through its heart. This latest phase extends that vision, completing the residential frame of the park and bringing green streets from the park deeper into the neighbourhood. The three buildings – L1, L2 and L3 – form a courtyard arrangement with varied heights and forms, reinforcing the north-south connections established in earlier phases. The massing steps up gradually, from the lower, street-facing character along Beresford Avenue to the taller park-fronting building, creating a considered and gentle transition between the surrounding neighbourhood and the open park beyond. The tallest building rises to 29 storeys, shifting from the warm brick tones of its neighbours to a lighter palette of pale and green precast concrete, with vertical detailing that draws the eye upward. At its crown, a distinctive crescent form gives the tower a landmark presence on the skyline – a gesture echoed at ground level in the curved form of the park-front pavilion, tying the architecture back to the landscape. Green metalwork balconies run consistently across all three buildings, lending a sense of belonging and continuity to the trio, with feature metalwork at each entrance reinforcing their shared character across the site. At park level, a flexible amenity pavilion for residents will be established, opening out onto the landscaped green space and designed to foster a sense of connection between residents and the park right outside their homes. Anna Shapiro, Partner at Sheppard Robson, said: “Grand Union is about creating a sense of living with nature, with a range of settings designed to support people’s everyday connection to the landscape around them. This latest phase completes the residential edge of the Linear Park, framing the neighbourhood’s park as the heart of the masterplan. The three buildings carry forward and evolve the architectural language of the earlier phases, while the crescent crown of the tallest building gives the park frontage a landmark quality that feels right for this moment in the neighbourhood’s story.” Marcus Blake, Managing Director at Berkeley, said: “In partnership with the London Borough of Brent, we have transformed this long derelict industrial estate into a thriving community, with high quality homes, green spaces, amenities, and a reconnected canal for all to enjoy. With close to 1,000 homes completed to date, new businesses open and a fantastic community taking shape, we have built something truly special at Grand Union. The next phase will be a natural continuation of that journey and forms part of the vision that we have worked hard with our partners to achieve from the outset. “Grand Union also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with our first home completed just four years after we purchased this complex regeneration site. This fast turnaround stems from our partnership approach with the council, which is determined to solve challenges and get homes built. Grand Union proves that our planning system can move at pace with a truly collaborative and proactive approach.” The landscape strategy at Grand Union embeds green infrastructure throughout, with green and brown roofs, biodiverse planting across the courtyard, roof terraces and public realm, and Sustainable Drainage Systems managing surface water across the site. Phase 4C completes the north-south green route from Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park, extending the accessible landscape network that forms the ecological backbone of the Grand Union masterplan. The masterplan includes improved walking and cycling routes linking to Stonebridge Park tube and rail station. Sheppard Robson is also working with Berkeley to deliver phases 2 and 3 of Grand Union. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry, the UK’s leading specialist mixed-tenure housebuilder, has secured planning consent from Oldham Council for 147 new affordable homes on the site of the former Oldham Mumps Railway Station. The Southlink development will transform 3.92 hectares of brownfield land into a new community delivered in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham. Currently owned by Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, the site will be acquired by Vistry. It was cleared after the former Oldham Mumps Railway Station was decommissioned in 2009. All 147 homes will be affordable, comprising 125 homes for social rent, 11 for buy to rent and 11 for shared ownership. The scheme will provide 97 apartments and 50 family houses, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, including apartments, mews and terraced properties, semi-detached homes and detached houses. Three apartment buildings of three to four storeys will front Oldham Way. The homes will use a red multi-brick palette with grey roof tiles, reflecting Oldham’s character and complementing the nearby Princes Gate development. The consent is subject to planning conditions and legal obligations securing the full affordable housing scheme, biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures, a 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan, and £743,607 towards education provision, public open space enhancement and off-site tree planting. The landscape strategy will retain existing trees where appropriate and add approximately 152 new trees, native hedgerows, mixed scrub, species-rich grassland and wildflower meadows. An avenue of lime trees will also be planted along Oldham Way. The site is within walking distance of Oldham town centre and close to Oldham Mumps Metrolink Interchange. New shared walking and cycling routes will connect Glodwick with the interchange, Southlink Business Park and the town centre, while the internal road layout has been designed to prevent through traffic into the Southlink Business Park. Public open space will include informal recreation areas, natural play features, seating and new green links. Matthew Parkes, Managing Director at Vistry Manchester & Cheshire East, said: “This consent is an important step towards bringing a prominent brownfield site back into productive use and delivering 147 high-quality affordable homes for Oldham. Working with First Choice Homes Oldham, we will provide a broad mix of homes and tenures to meet local needs, in a highly accessible location close to the town centre and Metrolink.” Mark Gifford, chief executive at First Choice Homes Oldham said: “The planning greenlight for Southlink is brilliant news. The building of 147 much-needed homes right in the heart of Oldham on a derelict brownfield site has taken a huge step forward. “This new community and its open spaces is an important regeneration project too. It will make a big difference to the town centre. I know the ambition is for it to act as a catalyst for more future developments. “FCHO is committed to building the homes people need, in the locations they want to live. Our partnership at Southlink with Vistry Group is going to deliver on those pledges and we are excited to be part of it. “We have also listened to what type of homes are needed and increased the number of family properties in the development to address that pressing issue here in Oldham. “Next steps over the next few weeks will happen at pace as we look to transfer land ownership and sign remaining contracts. The ambition is to have spades in the ground in November.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Taunton-based Summerfield Homes has completed construction on all 320 new homes on its flagship development at Killams Park in Somerset where it has invested an additional £3.6m in the local community. The end of construction comes after a decade of work across three phases, creating a vibrant community in a range of accommodation as well as extensive green space, meadows, orchards and wildlife corridors. Latest additions to the development include more children’s play equipment and the Killams Park Art and Nature Trail. Each piece of the Art Trail was meticulously designed to represent the wetland, woodland, farmland, and wildlife of the historical location and is approximately a 2.5K walk around Killams Park. As part of the development, Summerfield has delivered 86 affordable and discounted homes. Sixty of these were made available through housing association partners for shared ownership and social or affordable rent. A further 26 were sold through Summerfield’s own MyHome scheme at 30% below market value, helping eligible local buyers achieve home ownership without paying rent on the discounted share. Summerfield worked closely with Somerset Council to fulfil the S106 planning commitments attached to consent for the development. The £3.66m investment included £2.25m towards education, £414,112 for footpaths and cycle routes, £501,550 for community halls and facilities, £459,732 for green spaces and parks and £36,914 for public art and the nature trail. The wider 22-hectare development includes around eight hectares of open space, with more than 1,000 new trees, wildflower meadows and grass areas, an orchard, children’s play areas and an enhanced wildlife corridor along the Blackbrook stream. New and improved walking and cycling routes connect residents with Taunton and the surrounding countryside. All the homes are built with energy savings and a greener future in mind. Key features include double-glazing, insulation on doors, low-energy lighting, counterflow heat exchangers, EV charging points, gardens and bee and bat boxes. James Holyday, Group Managing Director of Summerfield, said: “Completing construction at Killams Park is a significant milestone for Summerfield and for everyone who has helped bring this major development to life over the past decade. “Working alongside Somerset Council, Abri Homes, Sovereign, Magna Housing and other partners, we have created a varied and welcoming neighbourhood; investing in affordable housing, education, community facilities, green space and sustainable travel that will benefit the area for generations. “We are extremely proud of what has been achieved and grateful to our residents, partners, consultants, contractors and the local community for their support throughout the development”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New brand, Everway Homes, sits within the Salboy Group Salboy, the nationwide property development and funding group, has entered the build-to-rent (BTR) market for the first time with the launch of its dedicated BTR brand, Everway Homes.  Over the next five years, Everway Homes will develop and rent 2,000 brand-new, low-rise homes, targeting young professionals and families in high-demand areas across England and Wales. 1,000 homes are already in the pipeline for development. Salboy aims to hand over the keys to its first Everway tenants by January 2027, with 2,000 homes completed by the end of 2031. The new homes will be built by Salboy’s network of experienced regional delivery partners, as well as by its own low-rise building arm, Salboy Construction. Management lettings and maintenance will be managed by the Salboy team.  Everway is spearheaded by Andrew Cavanagh, CFO at Salboy since 2019: “The fall in construction starts in the BTR sector this year has been staggering to watch, and highlights the grim realities facing regional developers and contractors striving to keep their BTR schemes viable. From the cost of labour and supplies to regulatory uncertainty and planning delays, the outlook for BTR developers has been increasingly poor. And, yet, the urgent, pressing need for high-quality rental property remains unchanged.  While the dynamics and statistics will encourage others to steer clear of the market, this is the right time for Salboy to enter BTR. For years we have honed our strategy to bring economies of scale to development projects across the UK by working in partnership with a wider network of regional development and delivery partners. And we are confident in our ability to bring the same positive, collaborative approach to BTR now.  With Everway, we’re looking forward to working closely with regional contractors who are motivated to get more homes built in their local areas. These regional contractors will benefit from the reduced costs of labour, materials and energy that come with delivering projects as part of a wider group, and their communities stand to benefit as a result.” Everway is a natural next step in Salboy’s strategy to diversify its involvement in and contribution to the UK homebuilding industry. The launch of Everway follows the launch of Salboy Construction in February 2026 to deliver small-scale housing schemes throughout the UK, as well as the launch of Hidden, Salboy’s boutique aparthotel brand, in April 2026. The Salboy Group now counts more than seven active property and construction brands under its wider umbrella.  Daisyfields in Staffordshire – the first Everway Homes project Construction began this summer at Daisyfields, Everway Homes’s first scheme, a 37-home development in Staffordshire. Positioned as a convenient commuter development, Daisyfields is a 25-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, and 45-minutes to Derby. In addition to its proximity to major cities and cross-country rail links, tenants of Daisyfields will benefit from professionally managed, energy efficient, pet-friendly homes as well as attractive, spacious landscaping.  Additional Everway Homes schemes in the pipeline include sites in Kent, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire and Cornwall. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals